The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Captain William Lewis Beck (NSN: 0-6497), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Chief of Staff and later Assistant Commandant for Logistics on the Staff of the Commandant, FOURTH Naval District. Captain Beck displayed superior organizational and planning ability in preparing the District for war and in coordinating the many details of operational and logistic matters pertaining to the execution of the District’s mission at war. The efficient and able manner in which Captain Beck discharged his duties constituted a major factor in developing and maintaining in the District a high state of operational and logistical readiness. The qualities displayed by Captain Beck and the results achieved during this highly critical and important period reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.